Wildcats kick off with 9/11 commemoration

Friday

It's a coincidence that the Hesperia Wildcats kick off their second season on Sept. 11, but the youth football and cheerleading program is embracing it.

"What a better day for it to fall on?" said Wildcats public relations representative Erica King. "So why not? We wanted to go all-out."

So four of the Wildcats' divisions, with players ranging from ages 6 through 14, will play against the Adelanto Saints at Hesperia High School. The Mitey Mites division (ages 6 to 8) will start the day at 8 a.m., followed by the freshmen (ages 8 to 10) at 10, sophomores (ages 10 to 12) at noon and juniors (ages 10 to 13) at 2 p.m.

The Wildcats cheerleaders will also be there, and including patriotic routines in the line-up.

And no wonder: In their first year in operation, the Wildcats cheerleaders made it to a national competition in Las Vegas, where they came in seventh place.

Representatives of the military, county fire and sheriff's departments and more will also be there on opening day. At noon, Mayor Thurston "Smitty" Smith will also speak, recognizing both the 9th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 and the start of the Wildcats' second season.

Although Hesperia is already home to another youth football program, the Trojans, the league founders felt the city's big enough for two -- at least.

"There's enough kids to have at least two or three programs, so they all get the opportunity to play football," said Wildcats president Juan Ruriz.

"Anybody who wants to play, the Wildcats will welcome them," said King.

For more information on the Hesperia Wildcats, visit HesperiaWildcats.com.

Beau Yarbrough can be reached at 760-956-7108 or at beau@hesperiastar.com. Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Hesperia.Star.

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